Our Move To Baja

Our total infatuation with Mexico began in 1996. Cabo San Lucas was exhilarating, beautiful and best of all soul satisfying! One can't help but relax to a slower, easier lifestyle.

The hotel we continually returned to, consisted of only nine condo-type suites. Today, Cabo Villas has been re-designed and features at least 140 very nice rooms. On one wall of the small lobby was a display of parcels for sale. This was the beginning of a long, curve-filled road to the eventual constructions of our dream casa.

When one builds on the sand, there are a great many challenges: waste treatment can't be handled with a septic system, and there certainly is no such thing as a city sewer system. Then, there is the greatly increased moisture in the air, which eliminates the use of wood for construction. Our beautiful metal gas barbeque lasted exactly one year, due to the ocean air.

One can't stress enough, the need for a competent builder. We know of neighbors who have had to change builders/architects mid-stream. A great part of the building that had been done, in these instances, needed to be torn out and re-done, even though some of these people had temporarily rented homes, and been there through most of the building process.

Our schedule only allowed for us to visit the construction site twice during the period of building. The builder handled everything beautifully and communicated often as to the progress. We made a couple of cosmetic changes that could have been difficult for a contractor less skilled. Luckily, he had kept us posted with pictures. . . this is how we were able to make changes before it was too late. We later discovered our builder spent several years getting all the permits to build. In addition, he ran power lines to his beachfront lots. He also made sure we had water. There are many homes that operate with generators to provide power. Water is sometimes trucked in and stored in a tank.

Once our construction was complete we were ready to begin the process of landscaping the property. One nursery operator was excessively expensive. We learned our lesson with an initial installation of plants and trees. With a little investigation, we were able to find a local gentleman who sold us trees, etc., he had grown, and at a much better rate. Palms, and other plants, grow like weeds in Mexico, if given sufficient water to begin with.We finished our casa with pieces we had or purchased specifically for our Mexican hacienda. You are allowed one delivery of furniture from the home you are leaving. Our furniture came across the Mexican border at Tijuana. A good carrier is vital. Our first trip was a disaster. If it had not been for an extremely talented young man out of Cabo San Lucas, who helped freight our wares, our furniture would have been delivered in pieces. He was also able to put together our pool table, via the Internet. What a hero!

Now,we are learning what living in Baja is all about.We have learned how to move to Baja. The thought process necessary when building in Baja. Obviously, if you are building for retirement there could be different decisions to be made, than if your sole purpose is investment.

A great amount of this information is to be found in our different articles. One can also check our blogs and newsletters to keep you abreast of the ever-changing environment in Mexico.Today, we are enjoying our beautiful villa and have also found it to be a great source of vacation rental income- until the day arrives when we also become expats.